Belegost

Belegost
File:Belegost map.gif
General information
Location	Northeast of Mount Dolmed
Capital	Belegost
People
Language	Khuzdul, Sindarin

Belegost was one of two great Dwarven cities in the Ered Luin. Its name in Westron was Mickleburg.

Belegost lay the central part of the Ered Luin, and was home to the Dwarven House known as the Broadbeams. Its name in Khuzdul was Gabilgathol probably meaning "great fortess". Belegost in Sindarin translates as "Great Fortress" as well. During the mid First Age its king until Nírnaeth Arnoediad was Azaghâl.

The Dwarves of Belegost were friends to the Sindar and later also the Ñoldor of Beleriand. They did not join the Dwarves of Nogrod in the Sack of Doriath, and actually attempted to dissuade their fellow Dwarves from it.

Unlike Nogrod to the South, Belegost may have partly survived after the War of Wrath, although it was recorded as having been 'ruined' at that time: many Dwarves of Belegost joined Durin's folk in Khazad-dûm 60 years after the war, but there were always Dwarves on the Eastern side of the mountains.

Etymology

Belegost (beleg + ost) is a Sindarin translation of the original Dwarvish name Gabilgathol and all mean "Great City".

Unlike other names of the Silmarillion, the texts gives us also an English rendering, which is possibly from Westron: Mickleburg. Mickle is a root meanng "big"; see also Michel Delving.

References

• The Silmarillion
• Unfinished Tales
• The Peoples of Middle-earth